Stepthrough
Start free

AI automation tools: 26 tools for office work

Updated · By Robert Breen

AI workflow automation tools run the repeat steps of office work for you, such as copying a form into a sheet, sending a reminder or filing an invoice, and add an AI step that can read, sort and write. Pick by how many tasks you run, how technical your team is and whether you need to self-host for data control.

26 tools19 free or with a free plan4 with a free trial3 paid only

26 AI automation tools

Each card says what the tool does for a working professional and whether it is free, has a free plan or trial, or is paid. 5 have a free Stepthrough lesson, linked from its card, where you practice it step by step.

Free lessons and guides

Hands-on lessons that build these automations step by step, in a practice copy of the tools.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best AI automation tools for work?
The best one is the one that fits the job you want to hand off and the apps you already use. Widely used AI automation tools in this directory include n8n, Make, Zapier and Microsoft Power Automate. n8n, Make and Run Solo Studio have a free Stepthrough lesson, so you can practice before you choose. Shortlist two or three, check where your data goes, and test them on a real but low-risk task.
Are there free AI automation tools?
Yes. 19 of the 26 AI automation tools listed here are free or have a free plan, including Make, Zapier, Gumloop and Activepieces. Free plans have limits, so check the vendor’s pricing page before you roll one out to a team.
How do I get my AI tool listed in AI automation tools?
Listing is free. Email rbreen@ynteractive.com with the tool’s name, website, a one-line description, the category and a contact; the submit page explains the criteria and the review time.
What is AI workflow automation?
AI workflow automation is a workflow that runs a repeated task on its own after a trigger, with at least one step handled by AI, such as sorting an email or reading an invoice. The AI workflow automation guide shows two real examples, and the Gmail AI Triage lesson builds one free.
What is an AI automation tool?
An AI automation tool connects your apps so a trigger, such as a new form entry, sets off a chain of steps, and one or more of those steps uses AI to read, sort or write. n8n, Make and Zapier are the best-known examples.
What are AI data entry automation tools?
They are automations that move data from a form, email or document into a spreadsheet or system without retyping. Some also read invoices and receipts. Have a person check the first runs, because a misread number becomes a wrong record.
What is Gumloop?
Gumloop is a drag-and-drop tool for building AI automations for scraping, research, document handling and reporting. It has a free plan and is built for operations and marketing teams that do not have engineers.
What is Make.com?
Make (make.com) is a visual automation tool: you build scenarios on a canvas that move data between apps, with filters, routers and AI steps. It has a free plan. Build one in the free Make first scenario lesson.
What is Workato?
Workato is an enterprise automation and integration platform for IT, finance and HR systems, with AI agents it calls Genies. It is a paid tool built for large, governed processes; small teams usually start with n8n, Make or Zapier.
What is an AI automation platform?
An AI automation platform is software where you build workflows that connect your apps and include AI steps, then run them on a trigger or a schedule. n8n, Make and Zapier are the best known, and Microsoft Power Automate fits teams on Microsoft 365. The AI workflow automation guide explains how to pick one.
What are some examples of AI automation workflows?
Three common office ones: a new invoice email is read by AI and the vendor, total and due date go into the bills sheet (invoice inbox lesson); a web form answer is sorted and sent to the right person (forms lesson); meeting notes become a task list (meeting notes lesson). Each one is a trigger, one AI step and an action.
How do I start automating work with AI?
Pick one repeated task with a clear trigger, such as a new form entry or an incoming invoice, and automate only that: the trigger, one AI step, the action, and a person checking the first runs. Free lessons: your first Make scenario, your first Zap and n8n with Google Sheets.
Can Make do AI automation?
Yes. A Make scenario can include AI modules, for example sending text to OpenAI or another AI app to summarize, sort or draft, between your other app steps. Try a scenario in the free Make first scenario lesson.

More AI tool categories

The full AI tools directory · Submit your AI tool (free) · Tool comparisons · AI glossary · Terms behind the AI tools you use